The Grand Canyon

I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon, that is until last week when Greg and I hiked down to the bottom and back out the next day. It was quite the adventure-unlike anything I’ve ever done before. We headed down the Bright Angel Trail on a sunny clear morning. My heart was beating fast and I could feel the adrenalin pumping- I told myself- just look straight ahead at the path- don’t look over the edge. I kept my eyes fixated on the rocky 6 foot wide path- following the mule poop down the steep trail. As we kept moving and I got warmer, the layers started coming off and I felt a sense of wonder and exhilaration. I began to look all around me up the canyon and down into it. My fear of heights disappeared and I felt alive and happy. It took us 7 and 1/2 hours to get to the Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the canyon, across the Colorado River. We stopped every hour or so to drink water and eat chia bars. We had a wonderful steak dinner at the main cantina and dining hall at the Phantom Ranch and then went to our designated male and female bunk houses. I slept on the top bunk in my smart wool long underwear. There were 8 other women in my bunk- 7 traveling together and one single woman hiker. The next morning we awoke at 6- put our gear back on, had a hearty bacon and eggs breakfast and headed out back up the canyon. We wanted to make it out before sunset- so we kept up a vigorous pace. 6 hours and 15 minutes later and we were at the top. My legs were sore and tired, but I felt great! It truly was a great adventure.